January 10, 2002

Seminar on Rural Families Under Stress Set for Jan. 29

Families in rural areas continue to face the stresses and challenges associated with uncertain market conditions and shifting governmental policies in agriculture. How those who work with families can most effectively help them and address their needs will be the topic of a training seminar on working with rural families under stress sponsored by the NDSU Extension Service and the Family Therapy Center at North Dakota State University.

The seminar, "Hard Choices in the Heartland: Working with Rural Families Under Stress," will feature Val Farmer, well-known rural psychologist, as well as university researchers and faculty. The seminar will be held in Minot, N.D. at the NDSU North Central Research Extension Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m on Tuesday, Jan. 29.

"Individuals and families across the Great Plains region continue to deal with the personal, familial, and social impacts of the volatile agricultural economy," notes Sean Brotherson, extension family science specialist at NDSU. "This seminar will help professionals and others who work with rural families in any context to understand these impacts and learn specific approaches to dealing with issues ranging from generational concerns to family business partnerships to personal anxiety and depression."

The seminar is intended for professionals who work with those in rural communities, including educators, counselors, social workers, health care workers, clergy, attorneys, farm service workers, mental health professionals, extension agents, and others who may be interested.

Topics to be addressed during the full-day seminar will include family and social impacts of rural stress, strategies for reaching out to rural families, rural families and resource use, dealing with anxiety and depression, working with family business partnerships, and sharing stories as a healing process. Continuing education credits will be available to those who are interested.

Interested persons can register for the seminar by calling Gail Slinde at the Ward County extension office at (701) 857-6450, by sending a FAX to (701) 857-6454, or by e-mail to gslinde@ndsuext.nodak.edu. Cost of the seminar is $35.00.

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Source: Sean Brotherson (701) 231-6143 and sbrother@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Gary Moran, (701) 231-7865, gmoran@ndsuext.nodak.edu